NFL Exec Sounds Off On New York Jets’ Primetime Schedule

The New York Jets have made NFL history, as their 2024 schedule contains a record six primetime games over their first 11 weeks.

The Jets should certainly be interesting to watch next season with Aaron Rodgers under center, but some people are wondering why they have gotten this many nationally televised contests.

NFL vice president of broadcast planning Mike North provided some insight into the decision.

“Yes, it’s an awful lot of prime-time games early in the season, but, obviously, I feel like Jets kind of owe us one,” North said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.

New York will open up its regular season with a Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers. It will then have another Monday night matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 14. The Jets will also have three games on Amazon Prime through Week 11, as well as a Sunday night clash with the Indianapolis Colts.

It should be noted that Gang Green will not play another primetime game after Nov. 17.

“When we had this conversation a year ago, we were — all of us — all-in on the Jets, and for that guy [Rodgers] to last four plays was disheartening for many of us,” North said. “I feel like we could run it back, and certainly our broadcast partners, when they came to us early in the process talking about what storylines they want to focus on early in the season, obviously Aaron Rodgers’ return was a key one for everybody.”

You can say that again.

The Jets acquired Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers last spring and were immediately labeled Super Bowl contenders by some as a result.

However, Rodgers tore his Achilles on New York’s first offensive drive of the season, ending the club’s championship aspirations and throwing a wrench into the schedule to boot.

But things should be different this time around.

“Hopefully, he stays healthy and, hopefully, they’re relevant,” North said.

Gang Green has made some big moves to bolster their roster this offseason, signing wide receiver Mike Williams in free agency, patching up the offensive line and swinging a trade for superstar edge rusher Haason Reddick.

The Jets went 7-10 without Rodgers last year, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they could win 10 or more games in 2024. As a matter of fact, it would be a disappointment if they didn’t.

Hopefully, Rodgers and the the Jets can validate their controversial schedule.